Mayor Bruce and Mayor Pro-tem Rob brought it home yesterday at our DOLA hearing for our $600,000 grant request. As we described our fundraising campaign, Bruce and Rob unrolled our enlarged stock certificate. They described the multi-facet role of the Armory and really made a connection with the committee. Jerry Gray submitted a letter stressing the Armory’s importance as a community shelter which broadened and deepened our “critical need” requirement perfectly. The committee was very impressed with the community’s commitment, ingenuity, frugalness and one committee member even suggested we needed more money (we wish!). The entire hearing ended when the 12 member committee simultaneously opened their copies of the Silver World to read the Armory article and look at the pledge donation ad. (it was a great photo op) The Lake City Team scored. We should hear in the next few weeks. Thanks so much to the “Friends of the Armory” who helped us get the pledges to impress the committee: Kristie Borchers, Dan Murphy, Nancy Zeller, Ben Hake, Michael Murphy, Jud Hollingsworth and Sandy Hines. Also thanks to Schuyler Denham, Angela Hollingsworth, Russ Brown and all our pledge donors. This is truly an amazing community and I feel so much gratitude to be a part of your vision.